Machine for sewing labels and the like



p 1963 HEDEG AARD MACHINE FOR SEWING LABELS AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 7. 1961 INVENI'OA lfrisfen HEDEG'AARD Sept. 24, 1963 K. HEDEGAARD MACHINE FOR SEWING LABELS AND THE LIKE I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 7, 1961 wnwmp K lhsfen f/DEGAA PD Y Sept. 24, 1963 I K. HEDEGAARD. 3,104,637

MACHINE FOR SEWING LABELS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 7. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VE/VTOR lfr/sfen //06AA RD By W- m United States Patent Office 3,1fi4fi3'! Patented Sept. 24, 1963 MACHINE FOR SEWING LABELS AND THE LIKE Kristen Hedegaard, Gentofte, Denmark, assignor to G. M. Hall A.G., Kaiserslautern, Pfalz, Germany, a-

corporation of Germany Filed Aug. 7, 1961, Ser. No. 129,852 Claims priority, application Germany Aug. 27, 1960 Claims. (Cl. 112-104) The present invention relates to sewing machines, more particularly to machines for automatically sewing closed seams of a desired configuration, such as for affixing labels, emblems, identification marks and the like to a garment or other base of sewing material.

It has already become known in the sewing of labels and the like to utilize a work presser plate having a contour conforming to the outline of a label or seam to be sewn and cooperating with a reciprocating needle in the ordinary manner, with further means being provided to operate said plate together with the work held thereby through a closed path conforming to said outline, in such a manner as to sew a seam along the edge of the plate or label, respectively.

In the practical realization of a sewing operation of this character, the work presser plate is connected to one end of a connecting rod or link having its opposite end rigidly secured to a carrier member being slidably mounted upon the base or working surface of the sewing machine and in turn operatively connected with the driving means of the machine through suitable motion transmitting mechanism, in such a manner as to operate the same and with it the presser plate through a desired such as a rectangular path for the sewing of a closed seam along a corresponding trace upon the work, such as a label or the like to be aflixed to a garment or other base of sewing material.

Arrangements of this type ordinarily make it impos sible to completely close the seam being sewn due to the obstruction provided by the connecting link or rod joining the presser plate with its support or carrier, said rod intersecting the sewing path or trace conforming to the presser plate outline. On the other hand, a seam being completely closed upon itself is desirable, if not required, in most instances for both practical and/or esthetic reasons or considerations.

One solution which has been proposed to solve this problem and to overcome the difficulties inherent in the prior arrangements consists in the use of a presser frame in place of a solid plate, whereby to enable the sewing of a fully closed seam along the inner edge of said frame, that is, without interference by the connecting link or rod joining the frame with its carrier or operating means. A serious disadvantage of a device of this construction is the substantial reduction of the working pressure which may result in displacements or slippage of the work during operation, if not in tearing or damage thereto, especially in the case of light and delicate fabrics being sewn.

Accordingly, an important object of the present invention is the provision of improved means for the production of fully closed seams by means of a sewing machine having a presser plate of the type referred to, in particu lar for the sewing of labels and the like, by which the foregoing and related difficulties and drawbacks of the prior devices are substantially eliminated.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of improved means in connection with a work presser plate of the type referred to for the sewing of closed seams, whereby to make it possible to completely close the seam conforming to the outline of said plate in a most simple and efficient manner.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a 2 sewing machine of the type referred to having a presser plate of predetermined configuration for the sewingof a seam corresponding to the outline of said plate and being completely closed upon itself, which is both simple in construction, as well as eflicient and reliable in use and operation.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of an automatic label sewing machine enabling the sewing of the labels and the like by a completely closed seam expeditiously and economically.

The invention, both as to its ancillary objects and novel aspects, will be better understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification and in which: I

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a label sewing machine embodying the improvements according to the invention, the position of the presser plate shaft or holder shown corresponding to the starting position prior to the commencement of a label sewing operation or cycle;

FIGS. 1a and 1b are fractional plan and elevational sectional views, respectively, more clearly illustrating the construction of the presser plate control mechanism for the sewing of rectangular labels or the like;

FIG. 2 is a fractional perspective View of FIG. 1,

. showing the position of the presser plate supporting shaft at the endof a label sewing cycle or operation;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view more clearly illustrating the construction of the control mechanism for the presser plate supporting shaft according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the sewing machine of FIG. 1, showing the construction of the safety or interlock device, to prevent operation of the machine without return of the presser plate supporting shaft to the position for starting a label sewing opera-tion;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the interlock mechanism of FIG. 4, shown in the position after termination of a label sewing operation;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of FIG. 1, illustrating an alternative operating mechanism for control of the presser plate supporting shaft; and

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of the control mechanism shown by FIG. 6.

Like reference numerals denote like parts throughout the different views of the drawings.

With the foregoing objects in view, the invention involves generally the provision of a crankshaft as a support or holder of the presser plate and connecting the same with a presser plate carrier, said shaft being rotatably mounted at both its ends in said plate, on the one hand, and in said carrier, on the other hand, 'and said carrier being operated by the drive means of the sewing machine over a closed path conforming to the outline or contour of said plate or the seam to be sewn during a label or the like sewing operation. The cranked portion of said shaft being constituted by a pair of radial webs connected by a crankpin provides an interruption of or free space near the axis of the shaft being aligned with the needle which is located close to the edge or contour of the presser plate. In the lease of a rectangular shaped presser plate for the sewing of rectangular labels, the starting position for the seam is advantageously midway between the ends of one side of the rectangle with said onankshatft being rotated to a position to cause the crankpin to extend in the direction of initial movement of the plate at the commencement of a label sewing operation or cycle.

Prior to the arrival of the presser plate in the end position which coincides with .the starting position for the next sewing operation, the crankshaft is rotated so as to swing the crankpin out of the way of the needle or to extend in a direction opposite to said first-mentioned posiano es? tion, in such a manner as to enable the needle to enter the space enclosed by the crank and to completely close the seam eing sewn, in a manner which will become further apparent from the following description. Rotation of the crankshaft supporting the presser plate is effected in dependence upon the movement of the presser plate carrier, such :as by means of a ca -follower, rack and pinion, or the like control mechanism.

After completion of a label or the like closed seam sewing operation, the cnanksh-aft may be returned to the starting position for commencing a new sewing cycle either manually or preferably automatically and simultaneously with the lifting of the presser plate, being normally urged to lowered or work-engaging position by a spring or the like, for the removal of the work from the machine. In case of tearing of the thread or other conditions requiring a seam to be sewn over twice, failure to lift the presser plate and return the crankshaft to the starting position may be avoided, according to an improved feature of the invention, by the provision of a further safety or inter-lock mechanism between the presser plate lifting member and the starting lever or the like control member of the sewing machine, whereby to ensure a return of the crank to the starting position under all circumstances before a new sewing operation can be started by the machine.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, FIGS. 1 and 4, the numeral 1 indicates the support of a conventional sewing machine providing a base or working surface, said machine comprising further an upright 2 extending from one end of said support and an overhanging arm 3 extending horizontally from said upright and terminating in a sewing head 4. Projecting laterally from the upright 2 is the end of a worm shaft 5 driven by the drive means of the sewing machine (not shown) and serving to actuate the work presser plate control by the aid of a control disc 6', the latter being provided for this purpose with a pair of closed cam grooves 7 and 8 located on the opposite sides thereof. Numeral 8' indicates a reciprocating needle being actuated by the drive means of the machine in the ordinary manner. Engaging the outer groove '7 of the control disc 6 is a cam follower pin 9 secured to one end of a double arm rocking lever 11 which is pivoted upon a stationary shaft iii, the opposite arm of said lever serving to control the displacement of the work presser plate 26 in the direction transverse to the support or base 1 during a closed seam or label sewing operation or cycle, in a manner further described in the following.

The groove 8 (FIG. 4) upon the inner or rear face of the control disc 6 which serves to control the displacement of the presser plate 26 in the longitudinal direction of the support or base 1 cooperates with a further follower pin (not shown), the latter being @secured to the end of a further rocking lever :12 which is pivoted upon a stationary shaft mounted upon the frame or base of the sewing machine. The oscillating motion of the lever 12 is in turn transmitted through a shaft or pin 13 (FIG. 4) to a further rocking arm or pusl'ung lever 14 engaging a vertical rod or post 16 by way of an adjustable stirrup or clamping element l3, post 16 being in turn secured to a presser plate control plate or slide 17. The latter carries a guide pin 18 extending through the support plate la and cooperating with the presser plate control mechanism in the manner to be further described presently.

Secured to the slide 17 is an inverted 'U-shaped intermediate connecting member 19, the front part of which has a guide groove or opening 28 adapted to receive an intermediate presser plate holder 21 adjustable in the vertical direction for the raising and lowering of the presser plate normally ur ed to the lowered or workengaging position with a label 26 and sewing base 25, in a manner well known and understood by those skilled in the art. For the latter purpose, the holder 21 in the More specifically, the crank of shaft is comprised of a pair of radial webs connected by a crankpin parallel to the shaft axis, where-by to provide a free space within the region of the shaft axis being unobstructed by the remaining shaft portions and aligned with the needle 8 in the starting and end positions of a closed seam or label sewing cycle performed 'by the machine. webs 27 of the crank 25 has a radial extension to the outer end of which is secured a follower pin 28 extending in a direction parallel to the shaft axis and arranged to engage a ca m surface 29 of the vertical element 39 of an L-shaped sliding member mounted upon the carrierrnernber 23.

The sliding member has a horizontal or base element 31 in addition to the element 3%), said base element slidably engaging the carrier member 23 and being provided with a slot or longitudinal opening 32 serving as a guidefor the element 31 .in conjunction with a pair of screws or guide pins 33 passed through said slot and secured to the member 23. The member 30, 31 is normally urged to a limit position relative to the member 23 with one of the screws 33 engaging one end of the slot 32 as shown in the drawing by the action of a tension spring 35 which has one end secured to a pin 34 projecting from the element 31 and which has its opposite end held in an eyelet of a further pin extending from the member 23. Further secured to the slide element 353 is a vertical'nose 37 adapted to temporarily engage an extension or stop 38 of an angular locking lever 41 (FIG. 2) which is rotatably mounted upon the presser plate lifting rod or shaft by means of a pivot screw 39. The stop-38 projects into the path of the nose 3] such as to engage the latter during the latter phase of or towards the close of a label or the like closed seam sewing operation; The remaining arm 4-2 of the locking lever '41 carries a stop 43 adapted to engage the lower surface of the head 4 upon raising of the presser plate lifting rod 40.

The control of the member 23 and in turn of the prcsser plate as in the coordinate directions to cause the needle 8' to sew a closed rectangular seam adjacent to and following the outline or contour of the said plate is shown in greater detail in FEGS. la and lb, it being understood tnat any equivalent control mechanism may be enrployed for the purpose of the invention for the sewing of both rectangular and otherwise shaped closed seams I More specifically, in the construction shown or labels. by the drawings, the rocking lever arm 11 is connected through an intermediate link of to one arm 61a of an angular lever 61, said arm projecting outwardly from the base 1 and said lever being rotatable about a fulcrum 62 underneath the cover plate la of the base or support 1. Theremaining bifurcated arm 61b of the lever 61 coopcrates with a sliding block 63 which is rotatably mounted upon the slide by means of the pivot screw or the like 18. As a consequence, as the arm 61b actuated by the arm la is deflected by :way of the connectinglink 6d, the block 63 moves within the fork 61b, in such a manner as to cause the free end of the slide 17 :which latter rotates about a fulcrum to be displaced in a direction transverse to the base 1 and to transmit this move ment to the presscr plate 26 through the elements 19, 21, 23 and 25. The cover plate in is provided with a recess 64 to allow the block as to move freely throughout the controlling operation or cycle. produced the transverse movement of the presser plate 26 relative to the base 1 during a label sewing cycle controlled by the proper design of the groove 7 of the control disc 6. The slide 17 is fulcrumed about point 65 through One of .the'

In this manner there is a further block 66 pivotally connected thereto and movable within a slot in the plate 1a. The coordinate movement of the presser plate 26 in the direction lengthwise of the base or support 1 is controlled by the groove 8 provided upon the opposite face of the control disc 6. For this purpose, the double lever pivoted upon the pin 13 transmits its deflection to the vertical post 16 of the slide 17 in the manner described, whereby to displace the latter in a longitudinal direction, or transverse to the displacement controlled by the groove 7. During the latter movement the slide is guided along the slot 67 in the plate 1a by the block 66 pivoted thereto in the manner described.

The operation of the control mechanism afore-described is as follows. Prior to the commencement of a label sewing cycle, the crank of the shaft 25 subtends a predetermined angle with the presser plate 26, as shown in FIG. 1 and is maintained in this position until the last phase of the sewing cycle. More particularly, the arrangement is preferably such that during the first stitch in the starting direction the needle 8 crosses the axis of the crankshaft 25 and that the next stitch occurs within the free space enclosed by the crank in a direction opposite to said first direction, whereupon the sewing of the seam is continued in the original or starting direction with the crank receding or moving in a direction away from the needle. In other words, the first three stitches result in the locking of the beginning of the seam, this operation being controlled by suitably shaping of the groove 7 of the control disc, to successively advance and retract the presser plate, respectively. As the seam being sewn approaches the end position, that is, while the crank moves towards the needle, the nose 37 engages the stop 38 of the blocking lever 41, whereby to arrest the sliding element 30, 31, while enabling continued movement of the carrier or member 23. As a consequence, the pin or finger 38 by camrning with the surface 29 of element 3d causes the shaft 25 to be rotated such as to swing the crank from the FIG. 1 to the FIG. 2 position opposite thereto, or to cause the cr-ankpin to recede from or make way for the needle, in such a manner as to allow the seam being sewn to be closed upon itself within the space enclosed by the crank, in a manner readily understood.

More specifically, in the end position or position of completion of a label sewing operation the crank is no longer positioned in a direction from left below to right above the shaft axis, as upon starting and during the major portion of the sewing cycle, FIG. 1, but rather from right below to left above the shaft axis, .as shomvn in FIG. 2.

In order to return the device to the position for starting a new label sewing operation or cycle, nose 37 is released from the stop 38 upon the presser plate lifting shaft 40 simultaneously with the lifting of the presser plate 26 for removing the work from the machine, whereby to allow the slide 30, 31 to return to its original position by the action of the spring 35.

There is thus provided by the invention a relatively simple and eficient mechanism in the form of a rotating crankshaft serving as a presser plate holder and enabling the sewing of completely closed seams conforming to the shape or outline of said plate, in particular for the sewing of labels to a base of sewing material. Return of the device to the starting position after completion of a sewing cycle is advantageously effected by the lifting of the presser plate for the removal of the work from the machine, in the manner shown by the drawings and described hereinbefore.

According to an improved feature of the invention, the pressure plate lifting lever or the like control member is in turn interlocked with the starting member of the sewing machine, to prevent starting of the machine until after operation of the lifting lever and return of the crankshaft supporting the presser plate to the starting position prior to the commencement of a new sewing cycle. While ordinarily the presser plate is raised by the operator after each sewing operation for the rem-oval of the work from the machine, there are cases where lifting of the presser plate is unnecessary suchin sewing a seam twice due to breakage of the thread or for other reasons. In order to ensure return of the crankshaft to the starting position in the latter or similar siuations, there is further provided according to the invention a safety or interlock mechanism described in the following in reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings.

In the latter, the numeral 45 denotes a safety lever being rotatably mounted upon the upright 2 by means of a pivot screw or the like 44, lever 45 having its lower arm connected to the starting member 47 of the sewing machine through a link 46, the latter in the example shown being moved to the left for starting and being moved to the right for stopping of the machine, as in di-cated by the double arrow in FIG. 5. Sli-dably mounted upon the upper arm of the lever 45 is a locking element or plate 48 having a slot 49 through which are passed a pair of guide screws 50 secured to the lever 45. The element 48 has a lower extension which terminates in a slightly bent end portion 51 and to which is secured a hooked pin 52 holding one end of a tension spring 53, the opposite end of said spring being held by a pin 54 secured to the upper arm of the lever 45. Further connected to the upright 2 by means of a screw 55 is a leaf spring 56 extending in a downward direction and adapted to engage and lock the end 51 of the element 48, in the manner further described in the following. The element 48 is provided with stop 57 which projects into the path of a lug or projection 59 attached to the end of the presser plate lifting lever 58 in the Off-position of the starting member 47 as shown in FIG. 5.

The function and operation of the safety lever 45 is as follows. In the end position of the presser plate 26 after the sewing of a label or closed seam by the machine, the end 51 of the locking element 48 engages the leaf spring in the manner as shown in FIG. 5, that is, the force of the spring 53 connecting the element 48 with the lever 45 is unopposed, whereby to urge the element 48 to its uppermost position limited by the screws or guides 50. Besides, in this position of the device the element 59 of the lifting lever 58 intercepts the path of the element 48 of the lever 45, thus blocking the latter against movement in a clockwise direction and, in turn, preventing starting of the sewing machine by the member 47. In other words, the machine can be started only after displacing the element 48 downwardly to release it from the stop 59 of the lifting lever 58.

The latter operation is accomplished by the raising of the presser plate by rotation of the lifting lever 58 in counterclockwise direction, whereby to cause the stop 59 of lever 58 to engage the stop 57 of the element 48 and to depress the latter until after the end 51 locks with the end of the spring 56. The element 48 is now locked in its lowermost position, whereby to enable free movement or operation of the member 47 for the starting of the sewing machine. During stopping of the machine at the end of sewing operation or rotation of the member 47 in the opposite direction, the springs 51 and 56 become again disengaged from one another as shown in FIG. 4, whereby to return the device to the original or locked position of the starting member according to FIG. 5. In this manner, starting of the sewing machine without return of the crankshaft 25 to the starting position is prevented positively and securely.

FIG. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternative control mechanism for the operation of the crankshaft 25 during a closed seam or label sewing operation in accordance with the invention. According to this embodiment, a segment shaped rack 71 is rotatably mounted by means of a pivot screw 70 upon the intermediate presser plate supporting member 21, the rack 71 being normally urged to a limit position determined by a stop pin 73-upon the member 21 by the action of a leaf spring 72. The crankshaft 25 J carries a pinion 74 (FIG. 7) located within the member 23 and meshing with the teeth of the rack 71. Further mounted upon the latter is a stop pin 71a adapted to be engaged by a nose 75 secured to the presser plate lifting presser plate and release of the rack 71, the latter is returned to the starting position by the action of the spring 72 in the same manner as in the case of the preceding embodiment.

In the foregoing the invention has been described with reference to a specific ilustrative device' It will be evident, however, that variations and modifications as well as the substitution of equivalent elements and parts for those shown herein for illustration, may be made without departing from the broader scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than in a restrictive sense.

I claim:

'1. In a label sewing machine having a base, a reciprocating needle, a work presser plate, a carrier therefor, a shaft having an intermediate port-ion forming a double crank comprised of two radial arms and a cross pin, said shaft being journalled at one end in and extending from said carrier, means to rotatably suspend said plate from the opposite end of said shaft with said crank adjoining said plate in line with said needle in the starting and end positions of a label sewing operation, further means syn chronized with the operation of said needle to operate said carrier through a closed path such as. to cause said needle to sew a seam in the work clamped between said plate and said base along the contour of said plate and starting at a point adjoining said crank extending in a first radial direction from said shaft, and means controlled in response to the movement of said carrier to ro-t tate said shaft upon said plate and label approaching said needle at the end of a label sewing cycle such as to swing said crank from said first direction to a direction opposite thereto, to thereby afford sewing of a continuous seam conforming to the contour of said plate and being cornplete ly closed upon itself.

2. In a sewing machine as claimed in claim 1, said last means being comprised of a spring-loaded slide mounted upon said carrier and including a cam, cam-follower means npon said crank engaging said cam, and stationary stop means to arrest said slide upon said carrier approaching its end position during a closed seam sewting cycle, to operate said crank from said first direction to said second direction by relative motion between said follower and said cam.

3. In a sewing machine as claimed in claim 1, said last means being comprised of a segment-shaped springloaded rack rotatably mounted upon said carrier, a pinion mounted upon said shaft and meshing with rack, and stationary stop means to arrest said rack upon said carrier approaching its end position during a closed seam sewing cycle, to rotate said crank from said first to said second direction by relative rotation between said rack and said pinion.

4. In a label sewing machine having a base, a reciprocating needle, a work presser plate, a carrier therefor, a pressure plate lifting lever, a shaft having an intermediate portion forming a double crank comprised of two radial arms connected by a cross-pin,- said shaft being journalled at one end in and extending from said carrier, means to rotatably suspend said plate from the opposite end of said shaft, further means synchronized with the operation of said needle to operate said carrier through a closed path such as to a cause said needle to sew a scam in the work and label clamped between said plate and said base along the edge of said plate and starting at a point adjoining said crank extending from said shaft in a first radial direction, and spring-loaded control means upon said carrier adapted to engage said lever in its lowered position during movement of said carrier, to rotate said shaft and to operate said crank to a position of extension in a radial direction opposite to said first direction while i said plate and work approaches the end position of a label sewing cycle, to thereby afford sewing of a continuous seam conforming to the contour of said plate and being completely closed upon itself, said. control means being disengaged upon lifting of said lever, whereby to return said crank from said second to said first position.

5. In a sewing machine as claimed in claim 4, a starting member to start and stop the operation of said machine, and interlock means between said starting member and said presser plate lifting lever, to prevent starting of said machine after completion of a label sewing cycle until after lifting and return of said presser plate.

6. In a label sewing machine, a base, a reciprocating needle, -a work presser plate having a contour conforming to the outline of a label to be sewn, a carrier, a shaft having an intermediate portion forming a double crank comprised of a pair of radial webs connected by a crankpin, to provide a free unobstructed space interrupting said shaft in the axial region, said shaft having one end journalled in and extending fromsaid carrier, means rotatably suspending said plate from the opposite end of said shaft with said crank adjoining said plate, further means synchronized with the operation of said needle to operate said carrier through a closed path conforming to the outline of said plate such as to cause said needle to sew a label clamped between said plate and said base by a seam close to and con-forming to the contour of said plate and starting at a point of said needle adjoining said free space with said crank extending from said shaft in a first label direction,

and means controlled in response to the movement of said carrier upon said plate and label approaching said needle towards the end of a sewing cycle, to rotate said shaft and to operate said crank from its position of extension in said first label direction to a position opposite thereto, to thereby enable sewing of a continuous seam conforming to the contour of said plate and being completely closed upon itself. V

7. In a label sewing machine as claimed in claim 6, a presser plate lifting member for temporarily raising said plate normally being urged to work-engaging position,

said last-mentioned means @being comprised of a slide mounted upon said carrier and having a cam, spring means between said slide and said carrier to urge said slide to a limit position, a cam follower upon said crank adapted to engage said cam, stop means upon said lifting member to arrest said slide at a predetermined position of said carrier to operate said crank from said first to said second position by relative motion between said cam and said follower, whereby said crank is returned by said spring means to said first position upon lifting of the presser plate.

8. In a label sewing machine as claimed in. claim 7, and interlock means between said starting member and said presser plate lifting member to prevent starting of the machine after completion of a label sewing cycle until after lifting and release of said presser plate. 7 p

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. IN A LABEL SEWING MACHINE HAVING A BASE, A RECIPROCATING NEEDLE, A WORK PRESSER PLATE, A CARRIER THEREFOR, A SHAFT HAVING AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION FORMING A DOUBLE CRANK COMPRISED OF TWO RADIAL ARMS AND A CROSS PIN, SAID SHAFT BEING JOURNALLED AT ONE END IN AND EXTENDING FROM SAID CARRIER, MEANS TO ROTATABLY SUSPEND SAID PLATE FROM THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID SHAFT WITH SAID CRANK ADJOINING SAID PLATE IN LINE WITH SAID NEEDLE IN THE STARTING AND END POSITIONS OF A LABEL SEWING OPERATION, FURTHER MEANS SYNCHRONIZED WITH THE OPERATION OF SAID NEEDLE TO OPERATE SAID CARRIER THROUGH A CLOSED PATH SUCH AS TO CAUSE SAID NEEDLE TO SEW A SEAM IN THE WORK CLAMPED BETWEEN SAID PLATE AND SAID BASE ALONG THE CONTOUR OF SAID PLATE AND STARTING AT A POINT ADJOINING SAID CRANK EXTENDING IN A FIRST RADIAL DIRECTION FROM SAID SHAFT, AND MEANS CONTROLLED IN RESPONSE TO THE MOVEMENT OF SAID CARRIER TO ROTATE SAID SHAFT UPON SAID PLATE AND LABEL APPROACHING SAID NEEDLE AT THE END OF A LABEL SEWING CYCLE SUCH AS TO SWING SAID CRANK FROM SAID FIRST DIRECTION TO A DIRECTION OPPOSITE THERETO, TO THEREBY AFFORD SEWING OF A CONTINUOUS SEAM CONFORMING TO THE CONTOUR OF SAID PLATE AND BEING COMPLETELY CLOSED UPON ITSELF. 